These are some tips that are to be used in extreme cases where the little loved ones just won't shut up.

Give the toddler a really large packet of plain biscuits to eat. But don't open the packet. It will take them ages to get to the biscuits, and then they'll take ages to eat the packet. Not recommended for every day nutrition, but in an emergency or in desperation it's ideal.

Children can be very loud when they want to - and very hyperactive. If this is the case, the best thing to do is pull off the road at a rest stop, or any likely looking field, and let the kids run and play for as long as they like.

It usually takes about an hour.

When they have burnt every last drop of energy, then let them shuffle back to the car. Within five miles, all you will hear from the back seat is snoring.

That extra hour will slow you down but at least the rest of the journey will be quiet - very quiet.